This qualitative study explores the complexities of a little studied international student population called heritage seekers. Focusing specifically on Mexican Americans studying abroad in Mexico, this investigation examined a group from California living in the central state of Queretaro. Information on their experience was collected via a questionnaire applied upon their arrival in Mexico and a two hour interview with each of the participants conducted midway through their study abroad. Their experiences were compiled into profiles and analyzed using theories from four different areas of intercultural study including acculturation, identity, Chicano studies, and friendship development. This investigation produced a series of demographic continua, a list of experiences students are likely to encounter, and suggestions for international educators for meeting the needs of this student population.
","abstract_html":"<p>This qualitative study explores the complexities of a little studied international student population called heritage seekers. Focusing specifically on Mexican Americans studying abroad in Mexico, this investigation examined a group from California living in the central state of Queretaro. Information on their experience was collected via a questionnaire applied upon their arrival in Mexico and a two hour interview with each of the participants conducted midway through their study abroad. Their experiences were compiled into profiles and analyzed using theories from four different areas of intercultural study including acculturation, identity, Chicano studies, and friendship development. This investigation produced a series of demographic continua, a list of experiences students are likely to encounter, and suggestions for international educators for meeting the needs of this student population.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Morones, Rachel Bright"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts (M.A.)","degree_level":"Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted","degree_discipline":"Intercultural Relations","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Kent Warren"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2004,"date_issued":"2004-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2004-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:36:35Z","subjects":["Hispanic American students Ethnic identity","Ethnic attitudes United States","Arts and Humanities","Social and Behavioral Sciences"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/588","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Kent Warren"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Morones, Rachel Bright"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2004-01-01T08:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Intercultural Relations"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis - Pacific Access Restricted"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts (M.A.)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Hispanic American students Ethnic identity","Ethnic attitudes United States","Arts and Humanities","Social and Behavioral Sciences"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/588"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This qualitative study explores the complexities of a little studied international student population called heritage seekers. Focusing specifically on Mexican Americans studying abroad in Mexico, this investigation examined a group from California living in the central state of Queretaro. Information on their experience was collected via a questionnaire applied upon their arrival in Mexico and a two hour interview with each of the participants conducted midway through their study abroad. Their experiences were compiled into profiles and analyzed using theories from four different areas of intercultural study including acculturation, identity, Chicano studies, and friendship development. This investigation produced a series of demographic continua, a list of experiences students are likely to encounter, and suggestions for international educators for meeting the needs of this student population.
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